After Chad and I went to Disneyland without the kids a couple of years ago, we told them that we would take each of them when they turned six years old. We took Grant for his six year birthday at the beginning of May. It was a complete surprise. We told Grant we were taking him with us to California to see some old friends of ours. We left Cole and Tyler with Oma. We decided to fly rather than drive even though it was a big more money.
We got to Orange County, rode the shuttle to the hotel, checked in at the hotel, ate dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, walked around the area and he still didn't figure it out.
The next morning we got up and got ourselves ready to go. We told Grant we were meeting up with our friends at a big park. Grant mentioned how fun it would be to go to a place with rollercoasters while we were there, since he knew they had those places in California. I just nonchalantaly told him we'd see how things went but that we promised he'd have a great time with our friends. We headed downstairs to the shuttle to wait for the van. Grant still had no clue. People around us were talking about it and he never caught on.
On the shuttle we drove right up to the park. Disneyland was written everywhere. He never caught on. We got off the shuttle and started walking toward the park entrance. It was written on everything. He never caught on.
Finally, given he can read, I walked him over to a trash can and had him read what was written. He read it but still didn't get it. I finally had to tell him that we were at Disneyland for his birthday. The whole thing was anti-climactic in a way. Thankfully, he loved the trip from beginning to end. We spent the first and third day at Disneyland and the middle day at California Adventure.
Grant rode Space Mountain and Splash Mountain three times. He rode Thunder Mountain probably as many times. He loved Indiana Jones and all of the California Adventure rides. Grant had no fear. We did every ride and every activity possible at both parks. We were there for almost as long as possible each day. He rarely complained even when he was getting tired. Thankfully, the park was only busy on the first day. The lines were so very short the second and third days.
(First Space Mountain ride)
Grant got chosen to participate in the Jedi Training Camp they do in Tomorrow Lane. He loved it. It was fun to watch him.
We endured the obligatory line through Mickey's house in Toon Town to meet Mickey. Unfortunately, Chad's photography skills are lacking and our one chance at a photo turned out blurry.
At California Adventure, Grant did the Wilderness Training Camp to become a Senior Wilderness Scout, per the movie Up. He loved it.
We waited the long line for the Toy Story 3-D ride and did Tower of Terror two times. Nothing scared Grant.
Grant had fun waiting for the Muppet Show. We rode the crazy, scarey ferris wheel. Grant and Chad tried on funny hats. We enjoyed lunch at the mock San Francisco wharf. Grant's favorite ride was the river rafting ride. It was overcast and rainy at California Adventure but he insisted upon riding the ride two times. I rode the first time but sent Chad and Grant on their way for round two. We stayed at California Adventure until close to watch the laser light show. It was beautiful.
On our last day at Disneyland, the line was finally reasonable enough to get the Grant's buttons from City Hall. We got him a Birthday and First Timer button. We spent the day doing all the rides again and wearing ourselves out completely.
Grant rode Splash Mountain as many more times as we would let him. He ended up quite soaked. I did one ride but sent Chad and Grant on their own for about two more rides.
We also did our souvenir shopping on the last day. We bought light
sabers for both boys. Grant spent the rest of the day swinging his
around every chance he got.
This was a great trip from beginning to end for all of us. It was fun to spend some one on one time with Grant. Cole is so excited for his turn and I am too. I am excited for all of our boys to be big enough to go to Disneyland and enjoy it.
1 comment:
so fun!! i love the photo of grant at joe's crab shack with his bib... adorable.
Post a Comment